Johannesburg Tavern Attack
Police reported that on Saturday night, eight attackers carrying AK-47 rifles and pistols fired on a tavern in Wedela township, located southwest of Johannesburg, leaving 17 people dead and 15 more with gunshot wounds. According to a police statement, the assailants began shooting patrons outside the bar before going in and continuing the assault. Before escaping in two unidentified cars, they robbed some victims of their cellphones and torched two vehicles. Among the deceased were 13 men and four women. By Sunday morning, Gauteng police had not arrested anyone and were hunting the eight unidentified suspects.[S1][S3][S4][S5][S6]
Cape Town Shooting
A second shooting took place at roughly 1:46 a.m. Sunday at a shisanyama, an entertainment spot that sells grilled meat, in Lwandle township close to Cape Town, where gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 11. Five died at the location, and another five later died from their injuries at medical facilities. Western Cape police formed a team headed by serious violent crime detectives to handle the investigation, and as of now no one has been arrested. The names of those killed will be made public after their relatives are notified.[S1][S3][S4][S5][S6]
Context of Violence
These two attacks came only days after three gunmen raided a house party in KwaMakhutha township near Durban, leaving 11 dead, among them a pregnant woman. Police figures show South Africa has one of the highest murder rates globally, with over 22,700 homicides in the year ending June 30 and roughly 60 killings a day in a nation of 62 million. Illegal firearms are widespread, and much of the violence stems from gang battles over drug trafficking and illegal mining. In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa described organized crime as the most urgent danger to democracy, society, and economic growth. Earlier this year, troops were sent to assist police in areas with high murder rates. Anger over gender-based violence has also grown after 10 women's bodies were found near Johannesburg's airport.[S1][S3][S4][S6]
